Relations with Foreign Powers (1509-1529) Flashcards
1
Q
Why was England’s position in European affairs difficult?
A
- Limited resources at W’s disposal
- England couldn’t compete in size or wealth with French or Habsburg monarchies
- England well placed to:
- Disrupt Habsburg supply lines to Spain and Netherlands
- Threaten Northern France
2
Q
How did the power dynamic change in Europe?
A
- 1515 = King Louis XII (France) dies
- 1516 = Ferdinand of Aragon dies (Spain)
- 1519 = Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I dies
3
Q
What was the significance of Francis I to English foreign policy?
A
- heir to French throne
- immediately invaded Northern Italy
- recaptured Milan from Habsburg
- Victory over Swiss mercenaries
- reputation exceeding Henry’s capture of Tournai
4
Q
What was the significance of Charles to English foreign policy?
A
- Ferdinand + Maximilian grandson
- Assume titles of King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor
- Already Duke in Netherlands
- Now had vast empire
- Stretched from:
- Americas
- Western and Central Europe
- North Africa
5
Q
How did Wolsey respond to the shifting power dynamic in Europe?
A
- Created new role for England in Europe
- H lacked resources to wage war alongside other nations
- Wolsey established England as the peacemaker between countries
6
Q
Why was the Treaty of London needed?
A
- Pope Leo X called for general crusade
- Crusade to halt spread of Ottoman power in Eastern Europe
- Little chance of this happening
- W saw opportunity to place England at centre of European diplomacy
7
Q
What did the Treaty of London involve?
A
- Wolsey called all major powers of Europe to:
- settle their differences
- live under ‘universal peace’ - Over 2 done countries signed the treaty
- Treaty committed them to avoid war, or risk being attacked by other signing countries
8
Q
How did Wolsey twist the Treaty of London in England’s favour?
A
- Each country should sign Treaty of London separately with England, instead of all signing same document
9
Q
What was the impact of the Treaty of London?
A
- Brought immediate fame to Henry
- Upstaged Pope
- Dispelled English isolation
- Disrupted by Charles becoming Holy Roman Emperor
10
Q
How did Charles becoming Holy Roman Emperor change H Treaty of London?
A
- 1519
- Had dominance over Europe = ‘universal peace’ of Treaty of London looked uncertain
- Charles now ruler of Netherlands, King of Spain, and Holy Roman Emperor
- His lands encircled France = France couldn’t find glory in conquest
- Charles’ election threatened French control in Northern Italy
11
Q
Why did Henry initially side with Spain?
A
- Henry married to Catherine of Aragon
- Henry still dreamed of territorial gains in France
12
Q
How did Henry work with Spain?
A
- 1522 = England declared war on France
- 1525 = imperial forces captured Francis I following Battle of Pavia in Italy
13
Q
How did Spain betray Henry?
A
- Following capture of Francis I, H called upon Charles to help him end French independence
- Wanted to divide France into English zone and a Spanish zone
- English interests didn’t match Charles’ = Charles refused
- Charles had used England to distract France, giving nothing in return
14
Q
Why did Henry later side with France?
A
- Charles’ refusal to help had annoyed him
- H was unable to raise the finances for an army to take action himself
15
Q
How did Wolsey draw France into England’s foreign policy?
A
- Joined negotiations between France, the Pope, Venice and Florence
- Planned to make anti-Habsburg alliance (League of Cognac)
- Hoped to still play peacemaker by using talks to pressure Charles into being more reasonable
